City Council

Page 1 of 4 The regular meeting of the Mayor and Council was held in the Council room of West Point City Hall December 11, 2017 at 5:30 P.M. with Mayor Pro-Tem Steven M. Tramell presiding. Members Present: Members Absent: Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall Councilmember Sandra Thornton Councilmember Benjamin F. Wilcox Mayor Pro-Tem Steve M. Tramell called Warren Doss, Berean International Church Lanett, AL for opening prayer. Mayor Pro-Tem Tramell led the Pledge of allegiance. Mayor Pro-Tem Tramell called the meeting of the Mayor and City Council to order and welcomed everyone. MINUTES Mayor Pro-Tem Tramell asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the November 13, 2017 regular meeting. Councilmember Sandra Thornton made said motion and was seconded by Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III; the minutes were approved unanimously without change. FINANCIAL REPORT Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter presented the November financial report with the December cash position and forecast and made a motion to accept the report; motion seconded by Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III and passed unanimously. AGENDA Mayor Pro-Tem asked for a motion to approve the agenda. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion and seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; passed unanimously. 1 Page 2 of 4 2018 Proposed Budget Mayor Pro-Tem Tramell asked for a motion to adopt the 2018 City of West Point Budget. There were two public hearing and four work session for the 2018 Proposed Budget. One key element of the 2018 Proposed Budget will include 2% COLA. There will be no Water, Sewer, Electric, or Gas rate increases. Total operating budget will be $19.4 million dollars. Total operating budget is $20,367,802 which includes General Fund $7,150,978 and Utilities $11,789,124. E-911 and Sanitation. Councilmember Sandra Thornton made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter; passed unanimously. 10th Street Property Exchange Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Tramell asked for a motion authorizing the City Manager Ed Moon to inter into an agreement with Bethlehem Baptist Church for property exchange. Bethlehem own 0.36 acre, more or less east of part of tract 44 with a building. The City owns 0.607 acre, more or less of the west part of tract 44. Subject to the City’s completion of the conditions set forth in O.C.G.A. 36-37-6. Bethlehem agrees to exchange, swap and convey the Bethlehem Parcel for the City Parcel. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Benjamin F. Wilcox; passed unanimously. West Point Development Authority Funding Agreement Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall made a motion for the City of West Point to enter into an agreement with the West Point Development Authority. The City agrees to the extent necessary to dedicate funds from its ad valorem tax receipts to support the payments authority. The City and the Authority have determined that such payments will achieve valid public purposes and will promote and expand trade, commerce and public good and welfare of the City of West Point and its citizens. The City shall pay to the Authority $120,000.00 per year for ten (10) years. The Authority shall use such funds to further its powers and duties as authorized under the constitutional amendment creating the West Point Development Authority, as may be amended from time to time, and pursuant to Georgia law. Each party will have 21 days to review. The city will run advertisement in the newspaper four times prior to the exchange. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; passed unanimously. Downtown West Point Development Authority Forward Fund Application Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III made a motion for the City to accept the Forward Fund Application from the Downtown West Point Development Authority (DWPDA). Key elements of the application are:  Purchase 12.3 acres of land known as the 2nd Avenue Woodyard  Total Project Cost $600,000  Request Forward Fund amount $350,000  DWPDA has received a commitment of $200,0000 from WPDA 2 Page 3 of 4  Property to be developed for residential, retail or commercial  Property is within the 10th Street Area Redevelopment Plan The motion was seconded by Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall; passed unanimously. Georgia Firefighter’s Cancer Benefit Program Councilmember Benjamin F. Wilcox made a motion to approve Firefighters’ Cancer Insurance Benefits. HB 146 passed out of the General Assembly Firefighters’ Cancer Insurance Benefits. The HB 146 Act provides firefighters, including volunteers, with monetary assistance in the event they are diagnosed with cancer. All entities that have firefighters certified in the State of Georgia, whether public or private have to provide the coverage. Georgia Municipal Association provide the coverage through the Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company. There are two parts of the Act relating to a diagnosis of cancer for eligible firefighters. One is a critical illness requirement and the other is an income replacement requirement. Depending on the severity of the diagnosis, the critical illness requirement is either $25,000 or $6,250. The income replacement requirement is 60% of the firefighter’s total salary as a paid firefighter, or $5,000 per month, whichever is less for a period of 36 months. The Act become effective 01/01/2018. The cost will be $3,136.00 annually. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III seconded the motion; passed unanimously. Board & Committee Appointments Councilmember Benjamin F. Wilcox made a motion to re-appoint Lionel Johnson to a five (5) year term that will expire December 31, 2022 to the West Point Development Authority Board. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter; passed unanimously. OTHER Councilmember Sandra Thornton invited everyone to attend the West Point Active Life Center Grilled Cheese Fundraiser on December 15, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. Grilled Cheese and coffee for $1.50 also everyone is invited to attend the West Point Active Life Center annual Christmas Dinner on Monday, December 18, 2017 at 12:00 noon the cost is $2.00. Both events will be at 1114 O.G. Skinner Drive in West Point. Councilmember Gloria Marshall asked everyone to pray for the families of the Valley High School students that were injured in an accident Saturday, December 9, 2017. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter congratulated the Lanett High School Football team for winning the 2-A State title. He stated several members of the Council attend Lanett High School. Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Tramell thanked everyone who donated their time on Saturday, December 9, 2017 to help with the Salvation Army bag toys for children. 3 Page 4 of 4 City Manager Ed Moon stated there will not be a meeting on December 26, 2017. The next meeting will be January 4, 2018. ADJOURN Mayor Pro-Tem Steve M. Tramell asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall; passed unanimously. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. ______________________ ______________________ Richard McCoy Steven M. Tramell City Clerk Mayor Pro-Tem 4